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Team

We are the #1 Driving School In Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee, and Hillsborough Counties!
Driving School of Florida has been serving the Manatee and Sarasota counties for over 10 years. Our growth has expanded into our neighboring counties of Hernando, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco. 
Our Florida State Certified Instructors are available for any drivers thinking of traffic school, driver education, and/or parents concerned about their teenagers learning the proper fundamentals to drive safely, correctly and especially, defensively. All sessions will only be conducted with one driver and one instructor as we believe this is the safest and most efficient way for new or veteran drivers to maximize their learning experience.
We specialize in training drivers from all ages and all skill levels. 
It is our sincere hope that all of our efforts will lead to a significant reduction in injury and loss of life while driving — whether you’re in Sarasota, Manatee, Hernando, Pinellas, Hillsborough or Pasco Counties in Florida but also anywhere in the US!

All student cars are equipped with passenger side brakes to ensure Instructor control.
All student cars are equipped with state of the art gps trackers to insure the safety of all students and instructors.

State Certified Driving Instructors
"In the world where roads stretch wide and wheels turn fast, driving instructors show us how to make the first step last. With hands on the wheel and rules in view, they guide us through streets, patient and true.
From signaling to merging, they teach us to navigate with care, instilling confidence with every mile we share.
Oh, driving instructors, masters of the road, your wisdom and guidance help lighten our load. Each lesson a step, each skill we acquire, you help us journey forward, safe and inspired."

James Cohen with Nissan Sentra

Jim
Cohen
Hillsborough
Manatee
Sarasota

 Hello everyone, I am Jim Cohen, here at Driving School of Florida and I  am a professional driving instructor. My role as an Instructor is to make sure you are the best driver, the best defensive driver, and above all to help save lives. I am a Certified Driving Instructor with over 10 years driving experience in teaching people how to drive. I am a Military veteran, receiving extensive training in motor vehicle defensive driving school and using US Army driving motor vehicle skills,  I really enjoy teaching students how to drive safely. I have remarkable compassion and am extremely patient, giving clear and easy instructions with extensive knowledge of all current motor vehicle laws and regulations. Remember, it is not only a fun driving lesson it is a driving experience. See you behind the wheel! Take care and drive safely!

Cortland Simmons with Toyota Prius

Cortland Simmons
Hillsborough
Manatee
Sarasota

My name is Cortland Simmons. I am from McKenzie, Tennessee and pretty much grew up there! I grew up watching my grandfather work on cars since I was 11 years old. I have a passion for cars and how they work. I am thoroughly skilled with the ins and outs of a vehicle that I like to pass on to my students! I've been teaching people how to drive for close to 4 years now! Teaching people the proper ways of driving has become a passion of mine. since moving to Florida. Can't wait to work with you!

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Katie Calderon
Sarasota
Manatee

Stephen Roberts with Nissan Sentra

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Stephen Roberts
Hillsborough
Manatee
Sarasota

I'm Stephen. I have over 20 years of professional driving experience and over 2 years as a driving instructor. It's my goal to pass on my knowledge and hard earned experience to the next generation of drivers. Driving nowadays can be a high stress activity. But, with the right training and mindset, it doesn't have to be. I look forward to working with you to develop safe driving skills. We'll also have some fun along the way. See you soon.

George Trimm with Kia Soul

George Trimm
Pasco
Pinellas

Hello, my name is George R. Trimm, and I am a certified driving instructor and have been teaching children and adults how to be a safe driver for the past 55 years now.

My specialties are teaching safe driving skills to special needs individuals. As a previous office manager for the (DMV) Department of Highway Safety, I am committed to being a good defensive driving instructor. I honestly believe that each student can and will succeed given the right kind of instruction. My individualized approach to teaching allows each student to learn in his or her own way, at his or her own pace.

My desire to teach safe driving skills to students makes me an enthusiastic educator, I am totally relaxed and comfortable when I teach; My most important teaching method is using positive reinforcement techniques. With constant encouragement and personal attention, every student can succeed. Students will excel when they know they can try anything without feeling inadequate or embarrassed. I look forward to seeing the inexperienced drivers learn and gain confidence in their new abilities to become safe drivers on our busy roads and highways.

I look forward to teaching you safe driving skills.

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Jean
Osorio
Habla español
Manatee
Sarasota
 

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Celestino
Avila
Habla español
Pinellas
Pasco
 

Hi! My name is Celestino Avila (nickname Sal). I'm bilingual and fluent in Spanish. I have 48 years of driving experience and have a good clean record. I am looking forward to teaching my students how to become a safe and confident driver behind the wheel.

State Certified Examiners

"They mark each turn, each stop, each speed,
With quiet focus, they take the lead.
Not just a test, but a chance to show,
How well we've learned, how far we’ve grown.

Though the pressure may rise, and nerves may sway,
The examiner’s role is to guide the way.
Their wisdom sharp, their judgment true,
Helping us drive with confidence anew.

So here's to the examiners, patient and wise,
Who help us reach for the driving skies.
With every test, they play their part,
Shaping safe drivers, from the start."

Randy with Testing car

Jean Boisrond
French and Creole
Bradenton

Hi! I am an examiner at one of the best driving schools in Bradenton, FL. My name is Jean, I am Haitian. I will be happy to assist all the clients coming to school in a kindly manner, and I encourage my homeland people to come to the Driving School of Florida for their test because they got someone in the business that will be happy to become their translator. Welcome everyone!

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Josselyn Negron
Spanish
Lutz

Greetings! My name is Josselyn Negron. I was born in Puerto Rico. I am a proud mom of 2 boys and a teacher from vocation. I taught fifth grade for 18 years. Being part of Driving School of Florida is a gratifying experience which is allowing me to continue guiding with kindness, ethics, and professionalism.

Behind the Scenes

Cher Paxton

Cher Cassata

Senior Administrator

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Valerie Harkless

Office Administrator

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Chris Carrera

Office Manager

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Melanie Plummer

Owner

"As the owner of Driving School of Florida, I think it’s Important for anyone that considers
being trained by our company to understand that the overall motivating principal for our
school is Defensive Driving. This practice motivates drivers to maintain a high level of
situational awareness in an ever-changing driving environment.
The accident/crash statistics that surround driving (especially young/new/inexperienced
teenagers) in the United States is staggeringly high! We find this unacceptable and do
everything we can to help our students appreciate that driving safely is no accident.
These results are achievable by any driver, but it is something that is only achievable by
proactive adherence to our Defensive Driving Recipe that each student receives at the
beginning of their training.
I personally have over 7 years working as a certified driving instructor and certified state
Class E Driver License Examiner. I, and my instructors, approach every student with
patience and kindness, focusing on safety above anything else. We enjoy working with
students of all ages, including students with disabilities. We work together as a team to
teach in a way that is best for each individual student and their needs. Our mission is to
help make our roads safer, one student at a time, and thereby making everyone on the
roadways the beneficiary of that safe driving! We train your drivers as if they were
our own personal family members."

Testimonials

  • "I took lessons with instructor Jean Osório.
    He is the best.
    Very patient and very good at what he does.
    I highly recommend this driving school. It is good for all ages.Thanks"                                                                                               -Agringa E.      

  • “I had the most wonderful experience with driving school of Florida, my instructor Katie was amazing! I got my drivers license today! I highly recommend this classes...”

-Norkis L.

 

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  • “One of the best driving schools in Florida. Excellent customer service. Melanie and Chris are always a phone call away for all our needs related to driving. Quick response. Jim Cohen was my driving instructor, he has vast knowledge in teaching driving, gained loads of Confidence. I am so happy and made a right decision by joining driving school of Florida. My humble thanks to Melanie, Chris and Jim.”

-Neetu 

 

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  • “They are amazing!..My son driving Instructor Cortland was the best. Very patient and after the lessons my son got license on the first try. They are very professional and were always on time. I will use them again!.”

-Carmen P.

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